Seoul / Korea

The Netherlands took advantage of a collision between the race leaders to win their first ladies 3000m relay gold this Audi ISU World Cup Short Track season.

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The Korean and Chinese skaters made contact with four laps to go, which allowed the Dutch and Russia to swoop past.

Korea ended up with the bronze and finished the world cup series as the overall winner in the relay.

China received a penalty.

“A lot of things happened,” Yara van Kerkhof (NED) said. “We wanted to start in front but we were second and we tried to keep our spot. We suddenly became third and it was a little bit more stressful.”

Apart from the collision, Korea also botched a handover two laps prior while leading, which set up the fateful moment.

Van Kerkhof was proud of the victory, also their first relay medal of any colour over the four stops of the world cup season.

“We were excited to race here in this stadium and this crowd. Before the race started we said, let’s make the crowd quiet by winning, and we won.”

She preferred not to look at it as a fluke.

“It gives a lot of confidence and what can happen here can also happen at the Olympics. I get a good feeling for the Olympics.”

The confirmed list of quota places for the PyeongChang Olympics will be announced by the ISU.

The B final was won by Canada.

Full entry lists and results of the Audi ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating are available here